WHO’S WHO IN THE GRAND NATIONAL.

Star (Christchurch), Volume XLIV, Issue 184, 5 August 1931, Page 8

WHO’S WHO IN THE GRAND NATIONAL.

I.—OMEO. Omeo has had less than two years racing experience, during which time he has had very- few starts, but prior to that he had been hunted.

Mr A. Lile's b g OMEO, by Quarantine —Munitioness, 10.5. He made his first appearance about two years ago, winning the Maiden Hunters’ Steeplechase at the Taranaki Hunt meeting and the Hunters’ Hurdles at the Waikato Hunt meeting, also , a hack hurdle race at New Plymouth. He came prominently under notice as a horse of great promise when he won over hurdles at the Manawatu autumn meeting. Then he returned to cross-country racing, winning the Autumn Steeplechase at the Auckland Easter meeting. In his next start he ran second to Aurora Borealis in the Great Northern Steeplechase, when conceding the winner 121 b. He was fourth in the Winter Hurdles at Trentham, while at the Manawatu meeting he fell in the Awapuni Steeplechase and was second in a hurdle race. A year ago he made his first appearance over the Riccarton country, and in spite of a slight mishap on the eye of the meeting he filled third place in the Grand National. He was unplaced in the Beaufort and Lincoln. This winter he won at Egmont and was twice in a place in steeplechases at Wanganui. He had to miss the Great Northern meeting, and ran once at Trentham, being second to Dark Prince in the July Steeplechase, while a few days later, at the Manawatu meeting, he was second to Nukumai in the Awapuni Steeplechase. Omeo has been an unlucky horse throughout his brief racing career, having gone wrong on more than one occasion, on the eve of an important event. It was a mishap that kept him away from the Great Northern meeting two months ago, and he was backward when he ran second at Trentham last month. Under the circumstances, he should be a much-improved horse at his next start, and he will be hard to beat on Tuesday. 2.—SNOWFALL. Snowfall won a six-furlong hack race at a minor Southland meeting more than six years ago, but at the end of that season he was retired. After an interval of four years and a half he made his reappearance as a steeplechaser, winning four races on end in Southland. He started off at Clifden and then went to Otautau, winding up at Riverton, where he won a double, showing very promising form. Two years ago he carried a big weight into third place in the Otago Hunt Steeplechase, and a few weeks later he won at the Birchwood Hunt meeting. He resumed winning in May of last year, when he won the Southland Steeplechase from moderate opposition, and next day was beaten into second place by French Fleet. He failed in the Otago Steeplechase, but later in the meeting he won the Wingatui Steeplechase and the Dunedin Steeple-

Mr M. Mouat, jun.’s ch g SNOWFALL, by Balboa—Martian Nell, 9.3. Snowfall had his first experience over the Riccarton fences last August. He was third to Radiac and Kapuna in the Homeby Steeplechase, at the Christchurch Hunt meeting, and after being unplaced in the Grand National, and the Beaufort, he was second in the Lincoln, beaten by Aurora Borealis. This winter he won the Otago Steeplechase and after a number of unsuccessful efforts he finished the season by running second to Tunamoe in the South Canterbury Steeplechase. Having shown that he can negotiate the country, his prospects cannot be regarded lightly, as he is a good stayer and a better horse, on appearances, than at any previous stage of his career. He is, in fact, quite a good prospect for the big event. 3.—KAPUNA. Kapuna commenced racing as a four* year-old, winning a jumpers’ flat race at Gore, also hurdle races at Oamaru and Waimate, in his first season. At five years he won hurdle races at the Dunedin, Southland and Gore meetings, also a mile and a' quarter fiat event at Tapanui.

He commenced his six-year-old season by falling in the Beaufort Steeplechase. After a few more races in the spring, he was spelled for more than a year, reappearing in the autumn of 1929. He had been schooled over country in the meantime and he was an immediate success, as he won the Waiau and Riverton Steeplechases at the Riverton meeting. Then he went to the North Island, where be was second in a hack steeplechase at Egmont and second in the Grandstand Steeplechase at Wanganui. His last appearance that season was at South Canterbury, but he did not complete the course. In the spring he won a hurdle race at Riccarton and then went south to win the Winton Steeplechase. In the autumn he ran three times at Riverton. He was second in the Great Western Steeplechase, fell ip the Riverton Steeplechase, and won the Autumn Steeplechase. A year ago he was second to Radiac in the Homeby Steeplechase, while at the Grand National meeting he failed in the Grand National and the Lincoln, but won the Beaufort.

Mr J. A. Gaffaney's b g KAPUNA, by Saxby—Lady Symons, 9.0. Two months ago, at the Dunedin meeting, he was third in the Wingatui Steeplechase, won by Radiac, and second in the Dunedin Steeplechase, won Tunamoe, to whom Kapuna was conceding 131 b, whereas now they are at even weights. In spite of a few falls, Kapuna is entitled to rank as a good jumper, who has been round the Riccarton country, but he does not appeal specially in the best company, over three miles and a half. 4.—MATU. Matu is no stranger to the Riccarton country. This will be his third attempt at the Grand National, in which* he ‘ ran second two years ago. He commenced his racing career at three years, but showed no.form. The following season he was - tried as a hurdler. He showed immediate promise, being placed five times before he scored his first success, at the Hawke’s Bay winter meeting.

Mr S. G. Ware’s b g MATU, by Polydamon—Penroe, 9.0. . i At five years he won an open hurdle race at Manawatu and a hack hurdle race at Woodville, while he was placed on seven other occasions that season, his best effort being his second to Comedy Chief in the Hawke’s Bay Hurdles. He raced once in the spring of his six-year-old season, after which he was spelled till the autumn, when he won at Feilding. Then his attention was turned to cross-country racing. He was third to Rangi Sarto and Radiate in the Woodlands Hack Steeplechase at Hastings and won the June Steeplechase next day. A few weeks later he won a hack steeplechase at Trentham. and on the last day of the meeting he was third to Kawini and Tuki in the July Steeplechase. After a spell he reappeared the following autumn, being unplaced twice on the flat, as a preliminary to winning the Marton Steeplechase. He was third in the Hawke’s Bay Steeplechase, and after failing in the Wellington Steeplechase he was second to Maunga in the July Steeplechase. Two years ago he visited Riccarton and ran second to Wiltshire in the Grand National, but he failed in the Beaufort and Lincoln Steeplechases. Early last winter he was second in the Egmont and Wanganui Steeplechases, beaten by Ponjola on each occasion. He was fourth in the Great Northern and fell in the Winter Steeplechase on the last day. Returning to Trentham, where he was trained at that period, he was going well in the Wellington Steeplechase till he fell, and he won the July Steeplechase on the last day. Last August he ran in the three big steeplechases at Riccarton, being third to Kapuna and Radiac in the Beaufort. When next he raced it was in the colours of the Wingatui trainer, S. G. Ware. That was in the autumn, when he won the Southland Steeplechase. His only placing since then was third to Star Comet and Copev in the Waikato Steeplechase. Though his record is not without blemish, Matu is a good jumper. The fact that he was second in the Grand National two years ago is a recommendation, but he has shown no form this winter to bring him into favourable notice.